Paws for a Cause

Join us at Ox Bow Park on May 13, 2023 for the Humane Society of Elkhart County’s 6^th annual Paws For A Cause 5k and 1 mile Strut your Mutt run/walk! This event offers a unique opportunity to show off your dog and mingle with other dogs and dog lovers, all while enjoying one of the most popular outdoor venues in the area.

This event includes both a timed 5k run and an untimed 1-mile Strut Your Mutt walk; as well as a virtual option for both. So, whether you’re a competitive runner or just looking for an excuse to stroll through the park with your 4-legged best friend, this event is for you!

Both the 5k and 1-mile courses feature looped trails through the natural beauty of Ox Bow Park. If you’re joining us in person, check in will open at 8:00AM on Saturday, May 13th. The 5k run will start at 9:30AM, followed immediately by the 1-mile walk at 9:40AM. Leashed dogs are invited to run or walk either course with their owners; however, a dog is not required for you to participate!

If you prefer to run with your two-legged friends and family members, take advantage of our group registration discount. When you register as a group of 4 or more, a $5.00 discount will be automatically applied to EACH person’s registration fee!

All proceeds from Paws For A Cause benefit the Humane Society of Elkhart County and its mission of promoting respect and responsibility to all animals and to the prevention of suffering and neglect through education, public service, and adoption. Your participation in this event makes it possible for us to care for the thousands of animals that come through our doors every year; so, thank you!

Registration Fees

Early Bird Registration (ends February 28)

• 5k Run: $24
• 1-Mile Strut: $14

General Registration (March 1 – April 29)

• 5k Run: $26
• 1-Mile Strut: $16

Late Registration (April 30 – May 12):

• 5k Run: $28
• 1-Mile Strut: $18

Last-Chance & Walk-Up Registration (May 13 – Race Day):

• 5k Run: $30
• 1-Mile Strut: $20

Group Registration (4-person minimum)

• $5.00 discount will be applied to fees listed above

Registrations completed before Friday, May 6th include a Paws For A Cause race shirt and a Paws For A Cause dog bandanna for participating dogs. Please be sure to register by May 1st at 11:59pm to be guaranteed a shirt.

Parking and admission to the park is included with your registration; so, feel free to stay after the race to enjoy all that Ox Bow Park has to offer.

No refunds will be given.

Packet Pickup

Race packets can be picked up between 2:00PM and 6:00PM on Friday, May 20th at the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 County Road 19, Bristol, IN 46507.

Awards

5k awards will be presented immediately after the last walker/runner crosses the finish line. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers in each age group. The top 3 male overall and top 3 female overall finishers will each receive the coveted Paws For A Cause dog bowl trophy… a true stand out among race awards! Most importantly, as the stars of the day, the top 3 dogs overall will receive their very own unique medal on a dog collar!

Guidelines for Dogs Attending the Event

All dogs must be kept on a NON-retractable leash and under supervision at all times. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. Any dog displaying aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs must be immediately removed from the park by its owner.

Virtual 5k

We want to ensure everyone who wants to participate in Paws for A Cause is able to do so, including out-of-town runners or anyone taking extra precautions against COVID-19. By registering as a virtual runner, you can run the 5k anywhere (e.g. your neighborhood, a park, or even a treadmill) and at any time before May 13th. You can track and record your time with the free RaceJoy timing app on your smartphone or you can manually record your time by returning to the race registration page menu and selecting “Submit Virtual Results” from the Results tab. This will ensure you are included in the results posted after the race*. Once you’ve completed your race, don’t forget to post a selfie photo and tag the Humane Society of Elkhart County!

*Awards are for in-person running only.

Volunteers Needed!

It takes a lot of people to ensure everything runs smoothly on race day and we need volunteers to make that happen! If you’re interested in helping out,

we have a variety of volunteer roles available and no prior experience is necessary. To sign up or for additional information, please contact Maria at [email protected] or call 574-475-4732.

Proceeds from this event will be directed towards the daily operations of HSEC. Last year, 8,088 animals entered through our doors. Over 50 different species of animals were encountered as the Humane Society fulfills its role of animal control.